The following groups of people are at risk from developing swine flu and thus must get flu shots:
- Young children: They have underdeveloped immune systems which cannot help fight against the influenza virus – the virus responsible for causing flu. The flu shot contains antibodies that can protect the body from the virus. The flu shot is especially beneficial to those who are aged between 0.5 and 5 years – according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
- Pregnant women: These women are at high risk from catching flu. In addition, if they catch the flu, they can easily pass the influenza virus to their unborn child – which may be fatal once the child is born.
- Aged people: People who are older than 50 years have weak immune systems which are ineffective in fighting against the influenza virus.
- People suffering from chronic health conditions: Examples of such conditions are diabetes, asthma, immunodeficiency and seizures. These conditions not only make the body vulnerable to the influenza virus but also aggravate the symptoms of the flu.
- Anyone aged less than 20 years, who has been undergoing aspirin therapy since a lot period of time.
Staff of the health care facilities: These people come in close contact with sick patients. As a result, they have a high chance of breathing in air infected with the influenza virus.
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